Best Desktop Keyboards • Hacker News Board

Re: Best Desktop Keyboards

#11

Post by spamizbad » Sun, Aug 12, 2012, 8:17 PM UTC

phillmv wrote: post #7

dag11 wrote: post #2

I used to use an Apple chichlet keyboard at my computer (even though it's not a mac) because I loved typing on it. Then I decided to buy a Daskeyboard (Model S Professional) and it's been absolutely amazing .

Do they make those without the numpads? It's silly but after all these years typing on a laptop I've come to loathe the distance my hand has to travel to reach the mouse - especially on my MS Natural 4k.

What you want is a "Tenkeyless" model. You can obtain boards with the same Cherry MX Blues (or Browns in the "Silent" version) that are "tenkeyless" style from brands whose quality is about on par with Das.

They can be found at several places, but the two I know of are Elite Keyboards (Leopold): http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenke...

and Keyboard co UK on Amazon.com (Mainly Filco)

I've used a tenkeyless Filco (blue) and tenkeyless Leopold Brown and I love 'em both. I don't really miss the numpad.

Re: Best Desktop Keyboards

#12

Post by kmfrk » Sun, Aug 12, 2012, 8:18 PM UTC

A lot of really weird suggestions. This needs a lot more mechanical keyboards in it. I don't even know if you would ever want a Logitech keyboard.

Check out /r/keyboards for some more interesting suggestions.

Re: Best Desktop Keyboards

#13

Post by ibotty » Sun, Aug 12, 2012, 8:19 PM UTC

somehow all the better ergonomic ones are missing: typematrix (i own one of those), kinesis, etc.

that's kind of lame for an article titled "best desktop keyboards"

Re: Best Desktop Keyboards

#14

Post by dvdhsu » Sun, Aug 12, 2012, 8:20 PM UTC

gingerlime wrote: post #8

Nothing beats the old IBM Model M with its buckling spring mechanism! I wish there was a modern alternative at a reasonable price and with a USB connection (especially in Europe where it seems harder to find niche keyboard products for some reason, or perhaps I just didn't discover it yet)

Unicomps are pretty much clones of the Model M. They're available for 80 USD. I'm not sure how much shipping to Europe is, unfortunately.

http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/UKBD

Re: Best Desktop Keyboards

#15

Post by eta_carinae » Sun, Aug 12, 2012, 8:20 PM UTC

It's depressing that only one in five of these keyboards is ergonomic. If you're a developer today and you are planning on typing on a keyboard for at least the next ten years, picking any other keyboard than an ergonomic one is a guaranteed path toward painful and permanent pains in your wrists and forearms.

Switch to an ergonomic keyboard today, you'll be glad you did.

Re: Best Desktop Keyboards

#16

Post by wyclif » Sun, Aug 12, 2012, 8:20 PM UTC

kmfrk wrote: post #12

A lot of really weird suggestions. This needs a lot more mechanical keyboards in it. I don't even know if you would ever want a Logitech keyboard. Check out /r/keyboards for some more interesting suggestions.

Yep, AFAIC this list should be all mechanical.

Re: Best Desktop Keyboards

#17

Post by polyfractal » Sun, Aug 12, 2012, 8:22 PM UTC

fsckin wrote: post #5

Best keyboards? Four out of five of the reccomended keyboards are membrane and scissor switches, which are designed for cost and space savings, not ergonomics. If you type more than a few hours per day, check out a mechanical or hybrid (Topre) keyboard. Your wrists will thank you. geekhack.org is a good resource.

Do they make non-clacky mechanical keyboards? I absolutely cannot stand the clacky old IBM keyboards from my childhood.

I currently use a "Logitech Illuminated Ultrathin Keyboard" and love it. But maybe I'm a freak, my wrists/hands feel a lot better using thin, laptop style keys rather than big clunky mechanicals.

Re: Best Desktop Keyboards

#18

Post by wickedchicken » Sun, Aug 12, 2012, 8:22 PM UTC

I personally can't stand Apple's keyboards. They look very nice, obviously, but I find them cramped for typing. I have a keycapless Das that is a dream and I've been considering a Kinesis for a long time.

If you don't know how to touch type, I highly recommend the Das Model S Ultimate Silent. Two weeks with that cleared it all up, but make sure you have a backup for typing passwords.

Re: Best Desktop Keyboards

#19

Post by wyclif » Sun, Aug 12, 2012, 8:22 PM UTC

dvdhsu wrote: post #14

gingerlime wrote: post #8

Nothing beats the old IBM Model M with its buckling spring mechanism! I wish there was a modern alternative at a reasonable price and with a USB connection (especially in Europe where it seems harder to find niche keyboard products for some reason, or perhaps I just didn't discover it yet)

Unicomps are pretty much clones of the Model M. They're available for 80 USD. I'm not sure how much shipping to Europe is, unfortunately. http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/UKBD

I have a Unicomp "Linux" model. This was a model they used to sell stock with the Caps Lock and Ctrl keys swapped. It's wonderful for programming. I think now they will customise the keyboard for a small additional fee if you like that setup, or you can DIY.

Re: Best Desktop Keyboards

#20

Post by [deleted] » Sun, Aug 12, 2012, 8:22 PM UTC

spoon16 wrote: post #3

I have settled on the Leopold ten keyless. I picked mine up from elitekeyboards.com. I really like how the Leopold types and it's not frustratingly loud like many mechanical keyboards.

[deleted]